Oliver “Power” Grant, the co-founder instrumental in building the Wu-Tang Clan into a global brand, died February 24 at the age of 52, according to reports. Grant’s death marks the loss of a key figure who transformed a Staten Island rap collective into a cultural institution.
More than a manager, Grant was an original architect of the Wu-Tang business blueprint, investing heavily in the movement alongside Mitchell “Divine” Diggs during its early days. While RZA crafted the sonic universe and the Clan honed its lyrical skills, Grant focused on building the infrastructure that allowed Wu-Tang to operate as both a group and a brand, as detailed in The Source.
Grant envisioned Wu-Tang as more than just music, seeing merchandise, film, fashion, and ownership as extensions of the culture. This vision materialized in Wu Wear, the groundbreaking clothing line he created during the Clan’s commercial peak in the late 1990s. Wu Wear wasn’t simply artist merchandise; it was one of the first artist-driven urban fashion brands to achieve global scale, landing in major department stores while maintaining its street authenticity. As Above Average Hiphop reported, the brand generated over $25 million annually at its peak.
Grant’s entrepreneurial instincts extended into film. He appeared in Hype Williams’ 1998 cult classic Belly, portraying “Knowledge Born” alongside DMX and Nas. His presence in the film reinforced his deep ties to the culture beyond music management. He was also a creative consultant when Wu-Tang Brand relaunched in 2017 in partnership with RZA and Live Nation Merchandise, after years of counterfeiting challenges, Above Average Hiphop noted.
Born and raised in Staten Island’s Park Hill Houses, Grant was part of the inner circle before the Wu-Tang Clan became a recording force. He often described the Clan less as a rap act and more as a system, stating, “Everybody brought their own niche to the table,” according to Above Average Hiphop. He emphasized independence and self-definition, advising younger artists to “Do you. Be yourself.”
Grant’s passing follows the recent deaths of several cultural figures, including actor T.K. Carter on January 9, hip-hop artist John Forté on January 12, civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin on January 13, actor Demond Wilson on January 30, and social media activist Shirley Raines on January 28, 2026.
The cause of Grant’s death has not been publicly released, as reported by PennLive.
